Claire Samways
Bristol,BANES
Summary
Director of Commercial Finance and CGMA-qualified accountant with 25+ years’ experience delivering financial turnaround, sustainability and growth in complex, publicly funded and commercial environments. Proven record of partnering with executive and operational leaders to improve contract viability, strengthen governance and embed high-quality financial reporting. Values-led, resilient and trusted at board level, with deep expertise in underfunded service models, risk management and long-term financial planning
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work history
Director of Commercial Finance
Dimensions UK Ltd
2022.05 - 2026.05
- Senior leadership role with organisation-wide accountability for financial sustainability, commercial performance and strategic financial planning
- Lead the Commercial Finance function, encompassing budgeting, forecasting, long-range financial modelling, contract costing, pricing and risk assessment.
- Partner with the CEO, CFO and Executive Leadership Team to shape financial strategy and support delivery of organisational objectives.
- Provide clear, concise financial insight to the Board, Audit and executive forums, enabling informed decisions across risk, performance and investment.
- Play a lead role in stabilising underfunded service models through robust financial analysis, options appraisal and contract viability reviews.
- Strengthen financial governance through improved policies, reporting frameworks, controls and assurance processes.
- Act as deputy to the CFO, providing cover and continuity of executive financial leadership when required.
- Lead and develop senior finance leaders, embedding a strong culture of accountability, transparency and commercial thinking
- Executive impact includes:
- Enhanced board visibility of financial performance and sustainability risks.
- Strengthened governance and control environment in a highly regulated sector.
- Improved financial discipline and commercial decision making across operational leadership.
- Supported £1.8M surplus improvement across one year, through improved budget management throughout the whole organisation
- Led a team through restructuring and ERP implementation, providing coaching to support change impact
Regional Financial Controller
Dimensions UK Ltd
2014.05 - 2022.05
- Senior operational finance leader with end-to-end accountability for regional financial performance
- Owned regional financial strategy, budgets, forecasts and management reporting across a complex, multi site portfolio.
- Business partnered senior operational leaders to improve service viability, cost control and financial resilience.
- Led and developed a team of six finance professionals, building capability and succession.
- Key contributor to Oracle ERP implementation, driving standardisation, data integrity and improved financial insight.
- Supported executive decision making with rigorous analysis, scenario modelling and performance reporting
Village Accountant
Center Parcs
2011.02 - 2014.05
- Delivered accurate management accounts, financial analysis and forecasts across multiple service lines.
- Supported budget setting, variance analysis and operational financial decision making.
- Strengthened core accounting controls and reporting processes.
- Built strong finance to operations relationships, improving financial literacy and accountability
Management Accountant
Dawson Rentals Display Refrigeration
2007.06 - 2011.02
- Senior member of Management Team
- Provide direct support to Directors/senior management
- Involvement in all aspects of business including profitability
- Preparation of monthly/yearly management accounts
- Completion of all government returns-vat etc
- Preparation of interim and yr end audit packs
- Monthly analysis of utilisations, rentals and rates
- Ensuring suitable objectives and performance measures are in place
- Review and implementation of procedures and policies throughout the business
Management Accountant
Mulberry Design Ltd
2007.01 - 2007.06
- Senior accountant responsible for management accounts, Fixed asset register, budgets and trail balance
Financial Accountant
Alcan Packaging
2004.01 - 2007.01
- Financial accountant responsible for cash management, working capital, fixed asset register, all monthly reporting and audit requirements
- Redundancy
Payments Team Leader
NHS
2000.08 - 2004.01
- Team leader for a purchase ledger team of 10 making payment of invoices for 6 primary care trusts. Included reporting and management of complex queries.
Accounts Assistant
GL Hearn
1999.07 - 2000.08
Purchase Ledger Clerk
House Of Bath
1999.04 - 1999.06
Accounts Assistant
Barclays Bank
1998.11 - 1999.04
Morgan/C&A/Adams
1996.04 - 1998.11
- Retail
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Finance
Association of Accounting Technicians
Certificate of Higher Education -
CIMA's CGMA Professional Qualification
Skills
Enterprise financial leadership & CFO succession readiness
Board, Audit & Risk Committee engagement
Long‑term financial strategy & sustainability planning
Commercial strategy, costing & pricing
Financial turnaround & performance remediation
Governance, controls & risk management
Capital allocation investment appraisal
ERP / finance transformation (Oracle)
Executive decision support & scenario modelling
Values‑led leadership & talent development
EXECUTIVE CAPABILITIES
- Enterprise financial leadership & CFO succession readiness
- Board, Audit & Risk Committee engagement
- Long-term financial strategy & sustainability planning
- Commercial strategy, costing & pricing
- Financial turnaround & performance remediation
- Governance, controls & risk management
- Capital allocation & investment appraisal
- ERP / finance transformation (Oracle)
- Executive decision support & scenario modelling
- Values-led leadership & talent development
LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE STYLE
Calm, values-led and resilient executive who brings clarity to complex financial challenges. Known for building trust at Board and executive level, translating financial risk and opportunity into practical, strategic choices. Champions strong governance, ethical decision-making and development of future finance leaders
Timeline
Director of Commercial Finance
Dimensions UK Ltd
2022.05 - 2026.05
Regional Financial Controller
Dimensions UK Ltd
2014.05 - 2022.05
Village Accountant
Center Parcs
2011.02 - 2014.05
Management Accountant
Dawson Rentals Display Refrigeration
2007.06 - 2011.02
Management Accountant
Mulberry Design Ltd
2007.01 - 2007.06
Financial Accountant
Alcan Packaging
2004.01 - 2007.01
Payments Team Leader
NHS
2000.08 - 2004.01
Accounts Assistant
GL Hearn
1999.07 - 2000.08
Purchase Ledger Clerk
House Of Bath
1999.04 - 1999.06
Accounts Assistant
Barclays Bank
1998.11 - 1999.04
Morgan/C&A/Adams
1996.04 - 1998.11
Diploma of Higher Education - Finance
Association of Accounting Technicians
Certificate of Higher Education -
CIMA's CGMA Professional Qualification